Hey,

    I'm here in Iraq, just wanted to let you all know my address while I'm over here, in case you wanted to send me something (hint, hint). It's:

           Cpl Joshua Andrews
            3/4 L Co 1st Plt
            Unit 41620
            FPO AP 96426-1620

Ok, so you should all send me something, even if it's a letter or some pics, or whatever (if you wanna send me a movie, we love those too). anyways, hope to see you all in about 8 months.  Peace to all.

Josh

Hmm...seems like I post something here every month or so, and it's been about a month...or something, so I figured I'm due for a post.  A lot of stuff is happening in my life, training here in 29 Palms is starting to intensify as we come closer and closer to the day we leave for Iraq. Things such as our days when we get to come home and say our final good-byes to everyone have become final (they are from June 16th till July 7th...so make sure you come around and say something...who knows when you might see me again...).  My sister's wedding is coming up at the end of June, so excited for them...they are so happy together and make such a great couple (go figure, she's marrying one of my friends...at least we're good siblings...she marries my friend, I marry hers). 

And of course the most important thing in my life is: I'm about to marry the girl of my dreams!!  I am very much the "macho" man who never looks forward to anything too much, a guy who always takes everything in stride and someone who's never thrown off very far on any curveball, but every day that I wake up, the first thing I think about is "14 more days till I get married.  One day closer to being together with her."  I feel like such a girl (sorry ladies), but I just can't help it.  Pray for her these upcoming weeks, especially with school and finals.  she really needs the prayer.  Nate, you better cut that hair...

            Well, here I am again (ready to get married), ready to share some thoughts.  So, something interesting has been happening here in my unit.  We have been getting a bunch of new guys straight out of boot camp (which basically means they know nothing about nothing, and can't think straight...not real sure why that is, but hey, I can't argue with something that is), and the "old guys" have been giving it to the new guys pretty good, yelling at them, making them do extra stuff cuz they forget something or are late, and such. 

              Now I know that neither of you that actually post on my site have been in the marines and can't understand how things go here, but you can sorta get an idea from movies and such.  The interesting part is this: when people mess up, do they warrant a beating??  Is it wrong to beat someone who can't get it together, someone who messes up continually, someone who has already been made to run a thousand different times, and still can't get it? 

             If you still can't understand what I'm saying, think of the movie "Full Metal Jacket", when all the other marines hold private pile down and beat him late at night one night after he gets them in trouble with the drill instructor for like the tenth time by messing up.  Now this kind of behavior is certainly not "allowed" in the marines by the generals and higher ranking individuals, but we are always encouraged "take care of our own", and "we are only as strong as our weakest link" by our sergeants and such.  What do you think?  Is it wrong?  Help me out here...

Well, I'm finally posting again, cuz I'm finally back to the dessert (thank God!).  The Marines is definitely something that helps you remember not to take little things for granted...something I think America could use a little more of...and I'm going to have to stop there before I start getting into what I think about people complaining about things like the war in Iraq and such.  I will say this though, if you disagree with our foreign policy (mostly with the military side), please don't complain about it within earshot of me.  As someone in the military, I, like the men and women who serve with me, believe 100% that we are doing the right thing, and we should stay in Iraq as long as it takes to get the job done; but most importantly, we are all WILLING to risk our lives to stay there and ensure that it does get done. 

On a little lighter note, but still a Marine one, we finished Cold Weather Training up in the Sierra Nevada's, and I'll just say this about it: it was COLD.  Yeah, don't mind the cold that much, but this...here's a picture of one of our nightly shelters we lived in:

And that's under about 4 foot of snow...at least.  Kinda made us a little uneasy at first, but we were so tired each day it didn't really matter.  Here's one were we got to sleep in tents...but, unfortunately, these are also the tents they use for the summer here in the dessert, so you can imagine how much heat they don't trap in. 

So things were...cold up there.  But let me tell you though, the view is absolutely amazing.  You can look out at the snow covered mountains (which are covered by about 10 feet of snow...believe me, I've dug down to the ground, and snow was way over my head) and just think "wow, God is awesome.  He made all this out of nothing."  Simply breathtaking.

Well, I may post some more pics of our traning later, but first i want to say hey to everyone: Nate, hey man, how's everything, long time no talk. To the David & Erin, how's the baby?  Jack, don't see any posts from you man, what's up (same for you Eric)?  the rest you guys been doing any football, or anything lately?  Rodatus, congrats on the dating side of the house, Josiah, thanks for the recap of the NCAA tourny, sorry that I missed so much of it (George Mason?!?! isn't that an all girls school?  kidding; since the Terps can't get it together, I've found a new team...kidding again...) oh and, too bad about those Buckeyes...but as you said, they were overrated. Soon to be sister, continued prayer on the Job/future aspect of things, and hope the blind date situation contiues to prosper (like his name by the way, keeping them the same helps so you won't worry about calling them the last one's), and thanks for your help with the wedding...see you there.

And that is my final thought: I'm getting married in two months to the most wonderful, beautiful girl in the world whom I love with all of my heart.  I am so blessed God sent her to me.  Talk to all of you's later...